Shloka 12

Adhyāya 6: Kaṅka (Yudhiṣṭhira) Seeks Refuge in Virāṭa’s Assembly

Devanagari script

चन्द्रविस्पर्द्धिना देवि मुखेन त्वं विराजसे । मुकुटेन विचित्रेण केशबन्धेन शोभिना

Transliteration

candravisparddhinā devi mukhena tvaṃ virājase | mukuṭena vicitreṇa keśabandhena śobhinā ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Göttin, du strahlst mit einem Antlitz, das dem Mond die Stirn bietet. Ein wunderbares Diadem schmückt dich, und dein gebundenes, schön geordnetes Haar steigert deinen Glanz.“

Word by Word

• चन्द्र-विस्पर्द्धिना: with (a face) rivaling the moon
• चन्द्र-विस्पर्द्धिना: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चन्द्रविस्पर्द्धिन्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• देवि: O goddess
• देवि: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवी
• Form: Feminine, Vocative, Singular

• मुखेन: with (your) face
• मुखेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुख
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद्
• Form: —, Nominative, Singular

• विराजसे: shine / appear splendid
• विराजसे: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: वि-राज्
• Form: Present, Second, Singular, Atmanepada

• मुकुटेन: with a crown
• मुकुटेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मुकुट
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• विचित्रेण: variegated / wondrous
• विचित्रेण: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विचित्र
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• केश-बन्धेन: with a hair-knot / bound hair
• केश-बन्धेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: केशबन्ध
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• शोभिना: splendid / beautiful
• शोभिना: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शोभिन्
• Form: Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Devī (goddess)
• Candra (the Moon)
• mukuṭa (crown)
• keśabandha (bound hair)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse models stuti (reverential praise): recognizing divine qualities—radiance, auspicious adornment, and beauty—as signs of higher power, encouraging humility and devotion rather than possessiveness or pride.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana continues a descriptive eulogy of a goddess-like figure, highlighting her moon-rivaling face, ornate crown, and beautifully bound hair as part of a larger portrayal of her divine form and majesty.